Fjords are deep, underwater valleys that often extend far inland. They are created by glaciers so enormous and heavy that they compress and erode the land below before beginning to melt and float on the intruding ocean water. For this reason, fjords are normally deeper toward their middle or landward terminus than at their connection with the ocean. The deepest – and longest – fjord in Norway, a country known for its fjords, is Sognefjord and we traversed most of its length by Expressboat on Sunday, Bergen to Flåm, then returned by scenic train: Flåm to Myrdal; then Myrdal to Bergen:

The day started, as seems common in Bergen, with rain and clouds.

Aboard the M/S Njord, a Norled Expressboat, we made our way into the North Sea enroute to the Sognefjord, passing a floating oil rig, not far offshore from a huge oil refinery (the tanker on the right was apparently on its way to the refinery).

We were not on a putt-putt boat. This 40-ton catamaran cruised at 30 knots (36 mph)! Imagine wake-surfing behind that!

It didn’t take long for us to make the turn into the Sognefjord. Since I’ve already told you most of what I know about the Sognefjord and fjords in general, I’m just going to let the photos tell the rest of the story.

Short stop at Balestrand to drop off and pick up passengers and a nice photo of Johnna and Bob:

Then on past Hermansverk.

Crazy hair day at the waterfall we detoured to visit, pulling the bow almost up into the spray at the bottom of the falls.

Pretty town of Undredal:

Just offshore of Aurlandsvangen:

All ashore that’s goin’ ashore at Flåm.